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Can Tulare hospital be the premier mental health provider in Tulare County?

“It’s not competitive with Adventist Health,” said Xavier Avila, a board member. “Suicide rates are going up and up.”

Initially, Senovia Gutierrez, the board’s treasurer, suggested the board look into providing or facilitating mental health care. Gutierrez said there may be opportunities for grants and other money available to jump-start the effort.

Avila said he believes the district can take on a mental health care project.

“Adventist Health can do health care. We can do mental health,” he said. “It is something that can create some synergy.”

Board members recognized steering the district into mental health care may take some time — likely when the district’s financial status improves.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reported there were 47,173 suicides in the United States in 2017, making it the 10th leading cause of death. During that same year, there were 1.3 million attempted suicides. It’s estimated suicide and self-injury has a $69 million price tag, annually.

Earlier this year, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention reported the national suicide rate has risen nearly 30 percent since 1999. According to the CDC, California’s rate, over the same period, is 14 percent higher.

The suicide rate is highest among middle-age white males. On average, it’s estimated there are 129 suicides every day.

Tulare County bucks the national and state trends.

According to local statistics, the county’s rate has been flat over the last five years, averaging 47. In 2015, there were 54 reported suicides, the highest number in 12 years.

In 2017, there were 48 reported suicides. The CDC reported nearly half of those who died by suicide had a known mental health problem.

“There is a need out there,” said Kevin Northcraft, the board’s president.

Dani Blain, left, is seated before services begin for her husband Kevin Blain as family and friends gathered Friday, May 11, 2018 at Visalia First Assembly to remember the Real Estate Broker. Blain, 44, died a week ago. Ron Holman,

If board members decide to jump into the mental health care provider business, they may turn to a familiar face.

Dan Heckathorne, the district’s Chief Financial Officer, said Larry Blitz, the hospital’s former CEO, has experience and contacts that can be helpful in starting the effort. Blitz previously served in a suicide prevention board in the Bay Area.

While there are for-profit mental health providers, Avila said the one from the district wouldn’t necessarily have to bring in money.

“If we break even, we would be doing a good job,” he said.

Hospital board members will further talk about mental health care at an upcoming meeting.